Guido understands that bosses at the Daily Mail and General Trust have called a series of meetings to discuss concerns over the increasingly negative press created by the Twitter spoof saga. Today the BBC and The Guardianfollowed up Guido’s story, causing DMGT chiefs to raise worries about the potential adverse effect on the company’s share price. DMGT is reportedly particularly conscious of its US position and wants to kill the story before it spreads across the Atlantic. They are feeling the pressure.

Guido’s eyes and ears at Northcliffe reveal that Steve Auckland – the chief executive who sparked the row – has been called in to help determine the company’s next steps. While the subpoena still stands apparently there was a shift this morning from seeking to out the spoofer to “finding out the reasons for his grievances“. Could David be about to beat Goliath?